Sacred Temple of Uttarakhand's Guardian Goddess – Miraculous Half-Submerged Shrine on the Alaknanda River near Srinagar Garhwal
Dhari Devi Temple is one of the most extraordinary and spiritually powerful temples in Uttarakhand, famous for being a half-submerged temple on the banks of the Alaknanda River, located about 19 km from Srinagar Garhwal and roughly between Devprayag and Rudraprayag. The temple is dedicated to Dhari Devi, considered the guardian deity of Uttarakhand, and legend holds that she protects the state and the four Char Dham pilgrimage shrines. The upper half of the deity (from the torso upward) resides at Dhari Devi Temple, while the lower half is enshrined at Kalimath near Kedarnath.
The temple gained worldwide attention in 2013 when, just hours after the deity idol was shifted to higher ground to make way for a hydroelectric project, the devastating Kedarnath floods struck — a coincidence that deepened the faith of millions in the deity's protective power. A new elevated temple was subsequently constructed, and the idol was reinstalled. The sight of the temple perched over the rushing Alaknanda is mesmerizing — the river swirls below the temple platform and the idol appears to emerge from the water. Pilgrims visiting the Char Dham route almost always stop here for blessings, and the temple sees enormous footfall during Navratri.
Navratri (March–April and October) for major celebrations. May to June and September to November for clear weather and pleasant visits. The temple is on the main Char Dham route, making it an easy stop year-round between April and November when the mountain routes are open.
Nearest railway: Rishikesh (~110 km). Take Char Dham route bus/taxi; Dhari Devi is on the Rishikesh–Badrinath highway.
Any bus from Rishikesh towards Srinagar/Rudraprayag/Badrinath passes Dhari Devi. Get off at the temple turn.
Rishikesh to Dhari Devi ~110 km on NH58. Easy stop on the Char Dham road. Devprayag to Dhari Devi ~40 km.